Lord of the Flies

Is Lord of the Flies an adventure novel? A parable? A historical novel of Cold War Europe? Dystopian? Post-apocalyptic?

Consider the novel’s ending, where the officer’s eyes “rest on the trim cruiser in the distance” (p. 202). What can a reader infer about William Golding’s view of humanity? Is he pessimistic or hopeful?

In E.I. Epstein’s notes at the back of the novel, he claims that “the lord of the flies” is “the central symbol itself” (p. 205). Do you agree that the lord of the flies, or Beelzebub character, is indeed the most significant symbol in Golding’s book? If not, what is? The conch? Piggy’s glasses?

Lord of the Flies is full of references to glasses, blindness, and sight. What does Golding say about logic and blind faith?

By the novel’s end, Jack wears a mask that virtually hides his identity. What other “masks” or disguises are found in the novel? What appearance or self-image does Ralph try to project? What does their choice of “masks” reflect about Jack and Ralph, about human nature in general?

Jack resents the crying of the youngest boys. At one point, he laughingly suggests that the hunters use a “littlun” to practice their skills. What role do the smallest boys, or “littluns,” play in the book?

Throughout the story, Piggy laments the lack of “grownups” on the island. What other characters long for adult guidance? What does this indicate about each character and what he is experiencing?

Ralph and Jack compete from the beginning, each exhibiting different leadership qualities. Which boy makes the best leader and why? What gives him power? Contrast the two boys’ leadership styles.